I Have This Old Gun: Colt Model 1895 Potato Digger

by
posted on June 23, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Its been called the greatest automatic rifle of all time—the John Moses Browning-designed Model 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. Browning actually created gas-operated self-loading firearms. Noticing the disturbance in the grass caused by the passing of a bullet out of the muzzle, Browning hooked a “flapper” onto the barrel of a lever-action that harnessed the expanding propellant gasses through a hole drilled in the barrel. He used the force of the gas to move a lever linked to the action to cycle it. That principal, what we call gas-operation, was applied to the Colt Machine Gun Browning designed in 1889, better known as the Model 1895, and later the Model 1914 called the “Potato Digger” before eventually becoming the Browning Automatic Rifle.

Watch this episode of American Rifleman TV's "I Have This Old Gun" to learn the full history and see the gun in use.

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.